YouSaid · the spoken record

Bole

THE RECORD WRITES THIS SPEAKER AS BOLE

lines on the record: 129
first: 1980-09-24
most recent: 1995-09-24
sittings or episodes: 3
sources: un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“Spiritual and moral values, on the other hand, know no frontiers, and by upholding and encouraging these, we are following a course which is truly international, and which is calculated more than anything else to give reality to the concept of one world. We do not live by bread alone, and it is only from the firm base of sound moral and spiritual standards that we can go on to meaningful economic progress”. (Official Records of the General Assembly, Twenty-fifth Session, Plenary Meetings, 1876th meeting, para. 210) I would suggest that this advice, given with characteristic humility, as it was then by the architect of modern Fiji, is no less powerful today than it was 25 years ago. I recommend it for the further consideration of this gathering.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“When Fiji’s first Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, now President, 23 addressed this Assembly on 21 October 1970, he ended his historic address with these words: “much of the effort of the United Nations has been concentrated on improving the material well-being of the peoples of the world, and I have just been reading the far-reaching and imaginative report of the Second Committee setting out a blueprint for the second decade of economic development. It may then sound ungrateful for a small country like Fiji, which has so often been at the receiving end of the bounty, to question this priority. But so many of these schemes, welcome as they are, are confined within the boundaries of one country.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“On this day, 10 October, which is the silver anniversary of the independence of Fiji, and on the golden anniversary of the United Nations, we want to share with the international community the extraordinary opportunity to rededicate ourselves to fulfilling the aspirations of the Charter. The United Nations must continue to advance the interests of all mankind by providing a meaningful forum for genuine dialogue between the rich and the poor for the establishment of conditions for development, and thus for peace. Permit me to conclude with a final walk down memory lane.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“During the greater part of the life of the United Nations, the strong have dictated to the feeble, the big to the small, the mighty to the weak. While there has been some semblance of order, it has often been at the expense of justice and equity. In this context, while the United Nations has been a symbol of hope for people from small countries such as mine, much more remains to be done before it can fulfil the promise of promoting human dignity, improved standards of living and social progress for all. That said, however, Fiji’s view is that the United Nations remains the best and most imaginative organization mankind has yet devised for its survival in peace, justice and progress.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“Fiji believes that the draft declaration is comprehensive and contains the fundamentals that should be part of any instrument that seeks to address the legitimate concerns and aspirations of all indigenous peoples. We would urge all States Members of the United Nations to support efforts to conclude work leading to early adoption of the draft declaration. However, while the draft declaration is important, Fiji considers that it is now time to give the fullest recognition at the international level to the rights of indigenous peoples by commencing negotiations to conclude as soon as possible a legal covenant on the subject. My Government believes that such an instrument would be a logical progression following the adoption of the draft declaration and would signal that the political will to respect the rights of indigenous peoples exists.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“At this time I would like to pay a special tribute to Ambassador Satya Nandan, under whose guidance as Chairman the Conference completed the difficult task of weaving together the sometimes competing interests that underlie the often complex and technical negotiations that allowed for an agreement. Ambassador Nandan has done us proud, and Fiji is indebted to him for his enduring contribution. Fiji has followed with keen interest the deliberations of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations under the brilliant stewardship of Mrs. Erica-Irene Daes, under whose guidance a draft declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples has been completed.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“Fiji welcomes the successful completion of the United Nations Conference on Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks. The Agreement produced by the Conference was the culmination of more than two years of work by Member countries that participated in it. It will form yet another important building block in the progressive development of international law under the auspices of the United Nations. Fiji hopes that the Agreement will lead to the sustainable utilization of the living resources of the sea. For its part, Fiji was both honoured and privileged to have played a small part in facilitating the work of the Conference. We have kept true to the promise of Ambassador Sikivou that Fiji would play its part, however humble, in the affairs of this great Assembly.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“At the first Conference of the Parties to the Convention, Fiji had expressed its regret that the outcome of the Conference was minimal. Fiji continues to believe that the protocol of the Alliance of Small Island States should form the basis of any new instrument aimed at strengthening the climate Convention. Further, at the present time, no new commitments should attach to developing countries, given that their overriding priority will remain the combatting of poverty. Recognizing that the present health of the world’s climate system is a result of the detrimental patterns of production and consumption of the industrialized countries, those countries should continue to take the lead in reducing the emission of greenhouse gases.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“My Government would urge all parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to move speedily towards the conclusion of an effective protocol that would ultimately bring about improvements in the global climate system. For front-line States such as Fiji, vulnerable as we are to rising sea levels, hurricanes and other phenomena associated with a worst- case scenario of climate change, politics has little to do with the reality that our physical survival would be affected if immediate action to remedy ailments in the world climate system were not taken. In this context, Fiji welcomes the commencement of negotiations on the Berlin mandate to strengthen the Framework Convention on Climate Change, which got under way in Geneva last August.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“Fiji is especially concerned as a small island developing State that the more affluent industrialized countries should recognize their responsibility towards the international community and take urgent steps to assist small island developing States in implementing the Barbados Programme of Action. Specifically, the need is for international cooperation, technology transfer and financial resources. There is also a critical need for access to markets, acquisition of new technologies, investments and institutional and human resource development by small island developing States to enable them to respond more effectively to the challenge of finding new paths to 22 sustainable development.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“While the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development at Rio de Janeiro was seen as a defining moment in the quest for sustainability and environmental protection, Fiji regrets that a lack of political commitment, coupled with donor fatigue, has been responsible for the failure of most developed countries to allocate adequate financial resources to enable developing countries to tackle the plethora of problems associated with environmental degradation. If no increased official development assistance is forthcoming and if the international target of 0.7 per cent is not met, there will be serious reneging on commitments made at Rio.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“Last month, the Fourth World Conference on Women, in which Fiji also participated, was held at Beijing. We thank the Government and the people of China for acting as host to the Conference. Our delegation had high praise for the efficient organization of the Conference. We welcome the very useful deliberations that took place at Beijing. Fiji looks forward to early implementation of the Platform of Action so that the ideas contained in it may be translated into meaningful activity for the betterment of women. Preoccupation with economic progress should not be at the expense of continued protection of the environment and sustainable development. Indeed, good environmental housekeeping will encourage economic growth rather than hinder it.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“Their increased participation and cooperation in the activities of various international and regional forums would certainly be welcome. Fiji, as a member of the South Pacific Forum, is pleased that the Republic of Korea has now joined the Forum as a post-Forum dialogue partner. We are confident that the Republic of Korea, a rapidly growing economic Power, can play a very significant role in the development of the South Pacific region. We welcome the opportunities that lie ahead. Further, we hope that initiatives for talks between the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea will continue. We hope that in due course there will be direct dialogue between the two Koreas, leading to their reconciliation and eventual reunification.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“We therefore highly value our increasing contacts with the countries members of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the economies of South-East Asia generally. This includes Taiwan, with which we enjoy very useful and close trade, economic and technical cooperation, just as we do with the People’s Republic of China, with which we have strong and unequivocally clear official relations. We believe that Taiwan, like the People’s Republic of China, has huge potential to contribute in a practical way to the development of our region and to the world generally. We therefore welcome the spirit of dialogue and cooperation between Taiwan and the People’s Republic of China and hope that the international community at large will also be able to benefit from such cooperation.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“The Forum’s deliberations this year, which took place only last month in Papua New Guinea, centred on the theme of “Securing development beyond 2000”. As in previous years, the Forum island members again had very useful discussions with aid donors in the region in their post-Forum dialogue. We are deeply appreciative of the opportunity to sit down together with the donors and discuss regional issues of mutual concern. The donors included the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Japan, Canada, the European Union, the People’s Republic of China, Taiwan and the Republic of Korea. We believe that regional cooperation will play an increasingly important role in the development of our national economies.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“In the long term, more stable and more affluent national societies comprising well- nourished individuals will be less of a threat to global peace and stability than States whose citizens languish in abject poverty and the horrors of sectarian violence. At the same time, we also recognize that since resources, particularly development assistance, are getting harder to come by, it is incumbent upon all of us to see that whatever resources are made available are put to the best possible use. Indeed, proper management of resources is increasingly becoming one of the major preoccupations of both the aid donors and the aid recipients in our region of the South Pacific. The South Pacific Forum had “Managing resources” as its theme in 1994.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“Talk of peace and development enjoins all within our global village, especially leaders, to recall and to rededicate themselves to the commitments they agreed to at the World Summit for Social Development held earlier this year in Denmark. If we as leaders in Government commit ourselves to creating an economic, political and social environment that will enable people to achieve social development, we will have gone a long way towards creating an environment conducive to peace. Fiji would therefore renew its plea to the developed industrialized countries to enhance their assistance to developing countries within the framework of the 21 Copenhagen Declaration to bring about improved standards of living in the third world.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“Fiji acknowledges the role of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the Department for Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development of the Secretariat in research and policy analysis in the strengthening of the capacities of small island developing States to capture a larger share of world trade. We welcome the recent appointments of senior staff in both those entities to provide greater focus on problems related to small island developing States. However, Fiji believes that more tangible and concrete evidence of specific support measures to small island developing States must be put in place without further delay. We would urgently commend this as a matter to be studied in some detail by the Commission on Sustainable Development at its high- level segment to be convened next year.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“Most, if not all, of the Pacific island countries are among those that have been adversely affected by the changed global trading regime, in part as a result of the removal of certain preferential trade arrangements of which they formed a part. Small island developing economies have borne the brunt of these changes, which have forced sometimes painful adjustments. We would therefore urge our developed-country partners to assist efforts we are making at the national and regional levels to enhance our international economic competitiveness and to expand our trading opportunities. Last year, Fiji, along with other small island developing countries, welcomed General Assembly resolution 49/100, which recalled the special economic vulnerability of the small island developing States.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“We therefore urge the United States of America, France and the United Kingdom to sign the Protocols as soon as possible as a demonstration of their commitment to a comprehensive nuclear test-ban treaty. From a global perspective, it had been predicted that the conclusion of the Uruguay Round would link economies more strongly through increased flows of trade and finance based on trade liberalization and a concomitant strengthening of multilateral trading systems. While trade liberalization caused by the Uruguay Round has had positive effects on the trade and incomes of some countries, the beneficial results of that process have been far from uniform. Nor have they been universal.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“These include the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Natural Resources and Environment of the South Pacific Region, of 1989, and its related Protocols — the Noumea Convention, the Waigani Convention — which was opened for signature only last month and which aims to ban the importation into Forum island countries of hazardous and radioactive wastes and to control the transboundary movement and management of hazardous wastes within the South Pacific region — and the South Pacific nuclear-free-zone Treaty, the Treaty of Rarotonga, of 1985, and its three Protocols. With regard to the latter, we are pleased that two of the five nuclear Powers — China and the Russian Federation — have signed the relevant Protocols. But the remaining three have not done so as yet.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“Fiji urges other nuclear-weapon States that have not yet done so to give similar assurances. These States have a special responsibility in ensuring that the CTBT negotiations remain on track. We believe that a comprehensive treaty covering all relevant concerns will make a significant contribution to efforts towards nuclear disarmament and the prevention of the proliferation of nuclear weapons in all its aspects. Within our own region, the South Pacific, we have a number of conventions and treaties designed to keep the region free from nuclear and other hazardous material.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“My Government calls upon all States having similar intentions to desist from taking any action that would threaten negotiations at the current session of the Conference on Disarmament taking place in Geneva. While present indications are that negotiations to conclude a universal, multilateral and effectively verifiable nuclear-test-ban treaty are on track, we cannot yet assume that the time for congratulations and back-patting has been reached. That will only come with the final conclusion of a comprehensive test-ban treaty (CTBT) which takes into account the security of all States, including non-nuclear States. Fiji continues to place high priority on completion of the CTBT negotiations in 1996. We welcome President Clinton’s commitment to a zero threshold test-ban treaty.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“It is therefore singularly disappointing that despite all these objections, France went ahead and detonated a second nuclear device at Fagataufa, on 2 October 1995. We regard this as a slap in the face of the leaders of the Forum and a violent crime against the people of the South Pacific. As the Assembly is aware, the Forum has now duly suspended France as a post-Forum dialogue partner. This will remain so until France changes its decision on nuclear testing in the Pacific. Fiji fully associates itself with the Forum decision. 20 Fiji would also like to express its deep regret at the continued nuclear testing by the People’s Republic of China. We see no justification for such tests.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“Fiji therefore urges France, even at this stage, after it has already detonated two of its planned eight nuclear devices, to reconsider its decision. It is not too late to turn the clock back. In recent years, thanks to the moratorium on testing put in place by President Mitterrand, France has enjoyed cordial relations in the Pacific region, but all that good will and the warmth of those relationships are now being rapidly compromised by their recent decision. At their meeting in Madang last month the leaders of the Pacific Forum expressed their extreme outrage at the resumption by the French of their nuclear testing in the Pacific. They decided that, should France continue its testing in the Pacific, the Forum would review the status of France as a Forum dialogue partner.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“If anything, we believe that rather than contribute to, they detract from, national and indeed global security. As an oceanic State heavily dependent on the sea for food and survival, we maintain that nuclear testing in our region has a more immediate impact. It threatens one of our main sources of livelihood and our health, not only at the present time, but for generations to come. The French decision to resume nuclear testing at Mururoa has, as is well known, met with worldwide condemnation. South Pacific countries, as those most immediately affected, have added their strong individual and collective voices to the protests. In the light of the cessation of the cold war, one might ask, What is the need for further testing of nuclear weapons?”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“The Review and Extension Conference was difficult and involved a willingness to compromise on the part of many parties. During the Conference, Fiji stated that the future viability of the NPT would depend on the conduct of States in relation to their rights and obligations. Fiji went along with the decision to extend the Treaty despite its imperfections because we believed that it made an important contribution to global peace and security. We were therefore bitterly disappointed when France announced its decision in June this year to resume nuclear testing in the South Pacific. Coming in the wake of the NPT Conference, the French decision displayed great insensitivity. Fiji has long been a consistent opponent of nuclear testing in all forms and in all environments.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“Last year, we joined in sponsoring a resolution on this issue in the Fourth Committee, for as long as drug traffickers, international arms dealers, money launderers and international white-collar criminals continue to ply their trade, and as long as mercenaries and terrorists and other adventurers exist, the protection and security of small States will remain vulnerable to acts of aggression from without as well as from within. Small States especially look to the provisions of the Charter as regards respect for their sovereignty and its preservation. Earlier this year, Fiji joined other States Members of the United Nations in agreeing to an unconditional and indefinite extension of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“They should reflect the principles of geographical representation and equity consistent with today’s global political and economic realities. The arguments for an enlarged Security Council reflecting these principles are compelling. Fiji also believes that while questions as to the form of the Council are important, equal attention to the substance of the Security Council is crucial. In particular, we would urge that closer attention be paid to the “veto” power in the light of the new global realities to which I have referred. Fiji would like to register its strong view that the question of the protection and security of small States remains a central concern of the United Nations.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“Of critical importance to this review process is the need for the United Nations to redirect its focus away from activities of limited value and relevance and to strengthen those which the Member States identify as meaningful. This will require the taking of some hard decisions which can no longer be postponed. The end of bipolarism and the increased membership of the United Nations have created new challenges for the Organization. One of these is the reform of the Security Council. Fiji has followed with keen interest the deliberations of the Open-ended Working Group on the Question of Equitable Representation on and Increase in the Membership of the Security Council. We believe that the structures of the United Nations should reflect changes in the global political landscape.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“Ultimately, there can be no sustainable peace without development. Enduring solutions to social and economic problems represent the basic infrastructure for long-term peace. The United Nations cannot — indeed, must not — shrink from this aspect of its mission. A greater rationalization of agencies and programmes within the United Nations and its agencies must be tackled with urgency and vigour. Fiji supports efforts to establish a high-level working group on United 19 Nations reform, and we look forward to contributing to efforts within the Organization aimed at revitalizing and strengthening the United Nations system.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“As regards peace-keeping, we all know that there are large-scale arrears in contributions. We do not object to peace-keeping operations. On the contrary, despite our smallness and our relative lack of resources, we have been a consistent and active contributor of troops to various peace-keeping missions. Fiji has paid a heavy human and financial price for contributing troops, but it has done so gladly and willingly and will continue to do so. Clearly, though, the United Nations has to rationalize its peace-keeping expenditures and at the same time reimburse fully and in timely fashion monies that it owes to troop-contributing countries. It is now becoming clear that a large number of Member States, if not the majority, wish the United Nations to devote more attention and resources to human and social development.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“More importantly, it would collate, analyse and interpret information and intelligence and develop early detection capacities on potential conflict situations. It would also work with States in developing confidence-building measures designed to minimize both intra- and inter-State conflicts. The financial position of the United Nations continues to be a matter of concern to Fiji. In this we are not alone, I am sure. The sudden and huge increase in expenditures for peace-keeping operations to a level more than three times as high as that of expenditures for development is becoming difficult to sustain and justify. It has been our view for some time that the apparent imbalance between resources committed to security issues and those committed to development is not justified.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“No less important is that we, as Member States, should equip our Organization with the resources to carry out its reinvigorated mandate. The United Nations must further enlarge its instruments of preventive diplomacy. The Secretary- General’s Agenda for Peace has clearly made an outstanding contribution to discussions in this area. Fiji urges the Assembly to give earnest consideration to implementing his recommendations on this issue. Fiji considers that there is much merit to proposals that a special department or unit be set up to deal with conflict prevention and resolution. This unit could coordinate the actions of a rapid-deployment force to be dispatched to trouble spots when conflicts erupt.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“This has stemmed in part from a growing perception that in the face of civil strife, the Blue Helmets have been powerless to save lives and prevent conflict. I believe that the seeming hesitancy of United Nations peace-keepers reflects our inability as Member States of the Organization to develop a clear and confident sense of the new role of the United Nations in today’s changed global environment. We all have a collective responsibility to ensure that a more precise vision of the role of the modern United Nations is created. With political will, we can do it. In this process, I suggest that the moment is right for us to rededicate ourselves to the Charter, for it is the principles enshrined in it that represent our best opportunity for finding a clear direction ahead as we approach the new millennium.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“And this includes the United Nations — we highly value our association with it and the assistance it provides. Half a century ago, the United Nations was established to end the scourge of war and build a better world for succeeding generations. The cold war and its attendant super-Power rivalry have ended. However, despite decreases in inter-State conflicts, recent history indicates that the much-promised peace dividend from the end of the sterile confrontations that characterized much of the life of the United Nations has not materialized. Conflicts within States continue to tear at the fabric of established societies. Can we truly say, looking around our world, that it is better today than it was 50 years ago? During the last year, in particular, there has been much soul-searching about the role of the United Nations.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“While anniversaries 18 are appropriate moments for celebration, they are also a fitting time for reflection, stocktaking and giving thanks. In our particular case, Fiji owes a debt of gratitude to its friends in the international community who reached out to assist us over these years. Since that moment, over two decades ago, when our frail canoe embarked on its long voyage, with all its reefs and shoals, it has been comforting to have so many friends ready to show us the beacons and lighthouses, enabling us to choose a course that would make our independence meaningful for ourselves. On behalf of the Government and the people of Fiji, it is my solemn duty today to say thank you to our friends. As the canoe continues its journey, we are confident that we will be able to continue counting on the guidance and help of our friends.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“And we are fully resolved to play our part, however humble, in helping to maintain and foster the high purpose for which this Assembly was established — the brotherhood of mankind.” (Official Records of the General Assembly, Twenty- fifth Session, Plenary Meetings, 1863rd meeting, para. 111) Today I wish to confirm that since that memorable occasion, nothing has changed to diminish that resolve in any way. It has never been shaken. The intervening years have demonstrated that the high purpose to which Ambassador Sikivou referred constitutes the very cement that binds us together in the pursuit of a common global destiny. The principles and ideals which inspired the architects of the United Nations still endure as noble goals that challenge us. Today is a special day for Fiji because it marks the twenty-fifth year of our nationhood.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“On 13 October 1970, a quarter of a century ago, Fiji, a newly independent State only three days old, was admitted as this body’s one hundred twenty-sixth member. Standing at this very rostrum, the Permanent Representative Designate of Fiji to the United Nations, Ambassador Semesa Sikivou, said, “Although I represent a small country far away in the Pacific, my Government and people warmly cherish the principles and ideals which led to the foundation of the United Nations and which have made this great Assembly, in its 25 years of existence, one of the main hopes for the future of mankind.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“Allow me first of all to express very warm greetings and congratulations to the President from the Government and people of Fiji on his election to preside over the General Assembly at this historic fiftieth session. We are confident that with his vast experience and demonstrated leadership, the General Assembly will complete its deliberations at this important session fruitfully. I would also like to express the compliments of my delegation to His Excellency Foreign Minister Amara Essy, whose presidency during the forty-ninth session brought the work of the General Assembly to a successful conclusion. I wish to join other speakers in warmly welcoming the Republic of Palau as the one hundred and eighty-fifth Member of the United Nations.”
1995-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 50 (1995)
“In conclusion, I wish to return to the point made at the beginning of this statement, that is that, in our efforts to resolve major international issues that confront this community of nations, a much better spirit of cooperation and accommodation and a greater degree of sensitivity to the needs and rights of others are more urgently needed now than ever before. For it is only through determined and sustained efforts towards this end by all nations that we shall be nearer to what the United Nations in 1945 charted for our future: the creation of a new world order based upon the rule of law, peace and justice and respect for fundamental human rights.”
1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)
“Despite the continuing progress being made in the United Nations system towards the formulation of appropriate international norms, and the efforts of the world body to ensure compliance with them, my delegation has noted with concern that United Nations debates on human rights issues have more often than not been motivated by international politics rather than by selfless humanitarian concerns. In our view, unless the United Nations succeeds in preventing human rights violations, there will be a continuous and persistent deterioration of the world situation. 316.”
1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)
“To our deep regret, however, we find that several excesses, including repressions, continue under the repugnant system of apartheid. Moreover, those that attempt to oppose the inhuman system are systematically denied their most fundamental human rights. My delegation firmly supports the persistent calls for the abandonment of the apartheid system in favor of genuine majority rule. It is to be hoped that South Africa will soon see" the wisdom of this course of action. Being a multiracial country, we firmly believe that all can participate in the national life of a country on the basis of full equality, freedom and human dignity. 315.”
1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)
“The injustices created by the many forms of human rights violations, in particular the repression of the legitimate aspirations of peoples, pose a major threat to international peace and security. People of the same racial origin, religious faith or political belief are made victims ,of persecution, and even entire nations are deprived of their inalienable right to self-determination and are forced to live under the yoke of colonialism, alien domination or foreign occupation. 314. The question of apartheid in South Africa remains a matter of priority concern for the international community. Throughout its history the United Nations has rejected racism and racial discrimination in all its forms and manifestations.”
1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)
“In the case of Namibia, for instance, our position remains as stated during the recently convened eighth emergency special session [5th meeting]. Briefly, therefore, my delegation reiterates its support for an internationally acceptable solution on the basis of Security Council resolution 435 (1978). We are mindful of the continuing efforts being made in this regard, including those by the western contact group. However, in order to expedite the speedy and full implementation of resolution 435 (1978), it is imperative that South Africa abandon its ill-advised military policies within and beyond Namibia. 312. Violations of human rights continue to be a destabilizing factor in the world today. Human rights situations have not only failed to improve, but continue to deteriorate in many parts of the world. 313.”
1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)
“My delegation remains fully committed to that important decision, since it is compatible with the principles of decolonization that are contained in the Charter and in the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples contained in General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960. In the pursuance of our commonly shared objectives we shall continue to be guided by the Pacific way, an approach that aims to find solutions to difficult questions through a process of dialog and consultations. It remains our earnest hope that this approach will be fully respected, thus enabling us to contribute towards ending the sad chapter of colonialism, wherever it may occur. 311. We view the remaining cases of colonialism in the same context.”
1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)
“Since its inception, the United Nations has facilitated the independence of millions, resulting in the trebling of the membership of the Organization. However, the international community remains short of its_desired goal of universality of membership, since colonialism still exists. 309. Because the process of decolonization is incomplete in our region, the matter was discussed at the recently convened meeting of the South Pacific Forum countries in the Republic of Vanuatu. At that meeting the Forum reaffirmed that the principle of self-determination and independence applied to all dependent territories in the Pacific Islands. 310.”
1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)
“My delegation remains convinced that a negotiated settlement achieved through the participation of the parties to the conflict would enhance peace and stability in the region. It would also help alleviate the sad plight of the refugees. 306. Also with regard to Asia, we continue to support any initiatives aimed at the peaceful reunification of the Koreas, and in this regard we take cognizance of the recent efforts made by South Korea. 307. Similarly, in Cyprus, we urge the continuation of the inter-communal talks, under the auspices of the Secretary General, and we hope that positive results will soon emanate from those discussions. 308. Perhaps the single most important accomplishment of the United Nations is in the area of decolonization.”
1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)
“We trust that circumstances will permit the continuation of such efforts as are designed to bring about a negotiated settlement of the Afghan question. 305. In Kampuchea, too, attempts to deal with the political and humanitarian dimensions of the question continue. As late as July of this year, an International Conference on Kampuchea was convened at the United Nations in pursuance of General Assembly resolution 35/6, with a view to encouraging a comprehensive political settlement of the problem. The Declaration of the Conference, which was adopted by consensus, specifies the components of a just and lasting settlement on which the negotiating process could be based. We sincerely hope that that important decision will provide the necessary impetus for an early settlement of the problem.”
1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)
“As peacekeeping is a collective responsibility, it is important, in our view, for all to pay the assessed contributions. 304. The situation in Afghanistan, which was first considered by the Assembly some two years ago, regrettably continues to engage our attention. Last year the Assembly adopted by a wide margin resolution 35/37, which, in brief, calls for the withdrawal of foreign troops and provides the key elements of a political solution. Moreover, it also addresses itself to the related matter of refugees. While the objectives of that resolution are yet to be realized, we are nevertheless aware of some efforts being made towards that end. In this regard, my delegation particularly welcomes the initiative of our SecretaryGeneral.”
1981-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 36 (1981)